10 things to pack for an Interrail trip

10 things to pack for an Interrail trip

Next week I’m finally kicking off what will be the most exciting trip of 2015: Two weeks of Interrailing through Eastern Europe. Yaay! Exploring by day, sleeping on old trains by night. Pretty sure the romantic idea of ‘sleeping on trains’ will lose most of its glamour after just one night, but hey, a girl can dream.

Packing for a trip like that most definitely needs to be organised, especially since we’re not planning much else. We’ll go with the flow, won’t stress about having to see everything – until then I thought I’d share some of rather boring preparations!

1. The right backpack

That’s a no-brainer – it’s something I still don’t have. I’ve got a 65L backpack (which is more suited for trips where you have no intention of coming back anytime soon) and a small hiking version. A 45L buddy seems like a good idea for two weeks, now I just need to find one that works for me and not against my back, grrr.

2. External phone charger

On a recent press trip, a fellow blogger introduced me to the art of not letting your phone run out of battery in inconvenient situations. I can’t believe I ever went traveling without one of these tiny life savers. Charge it on your laptop (or a plug) for a couple of hours before you hit the road and off you go. Instagram, I’m coming for ya!

3. Light sleeping bag

Whether you’re sleeping in a dodgy hostel, in a cold train or bus or on the beach (fingers crossed!), a lightweight sleeping back will come in handy in any case. Other useful bits are a neck cushion and a thick woolen scarf that can serve as a poncho, blanket, cushion, and maybe, just maybe, also as a scarf!

4. Toiletries

I’m definitely taking the washing soap introduced in this post because it never fails to make magic happen; dry shampoo, coconut oil for dry and split ends (your hair probably won’t get the love it deserves on the road), make-up wipes because they have proven to even clean a dirty camera lens in the past, sun screen (remember, it’s the best anti-aging action you could take throughout the year!), mosquito spray and flip flops.

5. Cameras

Grab a bunch of disposable and underwater cameras. Have some photography fun where you don’t take things as seriously as you would with a DSLR. I also lovelovelove the Lens Between Us project. You can do something similarly awesome by filling an entire film of you and your friend taking photos of each other at great places. That’s a memory book with a twist I’d say!

6. Kindle and guides

I’ve transferred all my Eastern European guides onto my Kindle so I can do my travel research (and finally read the books that have been patiently waiting for my attention all year) without having to carry buckets of paperbacks.

7. A bucket list

Speaking of buckets. You should make a bucket list because an Interrailing trip is most likely gonna be an unforgettable experience. Here’s an extract of my list: sleeping under the starry sky, skinny-dipping in a lake at sunrise, kissing a stranger and not exchanging numbers, leaving the camera at home one day and write about what I see and visualise the images with pen and paper instead, making up a lot of future goals and dreams, falling in love with Slovenia, portraying people in Macedonia, buy a bunch of foreign magazines and postcards and actually write and post these postcards… That list isn’t massively original but drawing one up definitely helps getting you into that certain “make this summer a good one” mode.

8. Apps and things

Without further ado, here’s a bunch of apps that you should download: The “Rail Planner” Interrail app, Findery, Trip Advisor, AirBnB, World Lens, Google Translate. Something you can’t download is an open mind, so make sure you don’t spend too much time trying to understand the world through your phone. Locals will almost certainly do a better job at that!

9. A passport holder

Weirdly enough, I’ve never had anything that kept all my documents, tickets and some cash in one space. They’re usually scattered all across my huge handbag and cause all kinds of random outbursts of swearing on a daily basis. I’ve just ordered this little bargain and can’t wait to board planes and trains with it!

10. Things not to take

A bit of a no-brainer, but less is more, especially if your backpack space is limited! Don’t take loads of accessories, anything expensive your life doesn’t depend on, or too much technology stuff that could distract you from living in the moment.

You know the deal with clothes, right!? Put everything you think you “need” in front of you, and then leave half of that at home. With a bottle of washing soap you’ll have an easy time washing everything as you go. Don’t forget a pretty party dress and some heels of course… that stuff on your bucket list needs to be ticked off after all!

Did I forget anything!? Pleaaase share all your Interrail and Interrail packing experiences below; I could really do with some advice! I will keep you updated with the exact route (and how romantic the sleeping on trains bit really is) on Instagram @carotravels.

All photos taken by Caroline Schmitt

Author:

Caroline

Caroline grew up with cameras of all shapes and sizes and fell in love with telling colourful stories early on. After spending her teenage years sneaking out of her parents’ house to explore (who hasn’t done that!?), she moved to London at 18 to study and see the world. After pit stops in Vancouver and Beirut she’s now happily based in Berlin and works as a freelance journalist and photographer. Caroline adores burgers, says ‘yes’ a lot and speaks way too fast. Follow her blog and Instagram to find out more.
Say hi at caroline@travelettes.net.

I have a regular Interrail ticket but I can imagine that getting the tickets individually may be cheaper especially when travelling Eastern Europe… Taking buses may also be an affordable option. 🙂 Happy travels xx

Oh that sounds like an exciting trip. I’ve wanted to do Interrail for so long but I’m not sure how to plan/organize and go about things so I’m definitely looking forward to hearing from your experiences.

Thanks so much or the list!
I really wanna go on an interim adventure one day.. maybe next year ;). This year I will only go on a road trip to Italy, but basically can’t wait for it!
Also, I think it’s always best to leave any valuables at home and big books.. kindle will do ;).
Have an amazing trip and happy travels,
Yvonne

I will definitely keep this list handy for when I start packing my bags for a railway trip. Right now though it is just a distant dream. I Ahhh… you’ve got me in dreamers mode. Railway trips sound SO romantic. I like your last point about NOT bringing things that will distract you from enjoying the moment. I think that is true of all travel packing lists, but not mentioned nearly enough.

An extension cord, ear plugs, and a small lock/chain.
I was on a train once where the only plug-in was in the hall above the door. The extension cord came in handy!… but your external battery might solve that issue too.
Ear plugs are fairly self-explanatory, but the small lock/chain so you can lock your backpack while you sleep… I’m also just kinda paranoid.
I’m so jealous of your trip! My only train experiences are just single overnights in Thailand and Peru, but I’ve been DREAMING for the Trans Siberian for a while! Have fun!

Great post! Love the guides on Kindle idea. So smart! We are in the market for a new camera, something beyond a point-and-shoot. Do you have a favorite? We don’t want to spend a ton of money, but also want something that will last a while and of course, take great pics!http://www.thisrainylife.com

Thanks for sharing such a great extensive list! I wouldn’t have thought of an external phone charger, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I also need to invest in some dry shampoo stat. Do you have any recommendations?

Love the article. Sure you will have an amazing time. I’m in Eastern Europe right now and loving it. I’m currently in Macedonia and it’s beautiful. Skopje is interesting and there’s so many beautiful places out of the city. I’m not inter railing as it’s cheaper for me to buy tickets as I go and sometimes buses are faster etc. I have taken some trains though and there’s something special about old sleeper trains, though they’re not the most comfortable night’s sleep! Happy travelling!

I loved your article and I hope you have an amazing time! Watch out, though. As a Romanian who’s been on night trains, take my word for it, don’t travel alone, and don’t travel second class. Night trains over here have two beds in first class and 4 or 6 in second, and there’s a wide variety of creeps that bunk in with innocent travelers (who customarily find their luggage gone by the end of the trip). You can end up robbed and raped, and you don’t want to end up penniless in a hospital in the land of no bribe=no service. That being said, I wish you a fun and safe journey, and write all about it when you’re back! X

I think everything you are taking is good! I recommend you a good pashmina, or scarf, really good for the air conditioner on the trains 🙂 I had my interrail 5 years ago, I’m from Spain so I did Italy-France-Belgium-Holland-Denmark-Germany-Czech Republic- Austria in 21 days 🙂 Let me know if you need some extra tips 🙂

I know it’s only a two week trip but My Absolute must have for travel is a Menstrual cup. Sanitary pads and tampons take so much space (plus environmental impact and not swim safe) and I hated having to find open shops and explain my need in a country where I don’t even know the alphaphet.

Your post made me dream of my next sleeping in trains trip – best way to travel!

For those of you who are thinking about Trans Siberian, I can strongly recommend it: you really get a scope of the size of planet earth. Do Not travel first class, only tourists do and half the fun is interacting with the local passenger’s

I made some interrail trips in the 80’s. At that time it was for 1 month and you could travel all over Europe, you didn’t have to choose your countries. It wasn’t limited to a number of days within the month.
I remember the feeling of total freedom.